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Banksy offers print for those who vote against Tories in Bristol
Banksy is offering a limited edition print of a version of his famous Girl With Balloon stencil for anyone not voting for the Conservative candidate in several constituencies across the Bristol area.
A statement on the elusive graffiti artist’s website asks voters to show they voted against Tory candidates by sending an image of their ballot paper.
The full message reads: “An exclusive new Banksy print will be released on the 9th June.
is needed now More than ever
“This limited edition artwork on archival quality paper is completely free, but is only available to registered voters in the Bristol North West, Bristol West, North Somerset, Thornbury, Kingswood and Filton constituencies.
“Simply send in a photo of your ballot paper from polling day showing you voted against the Conservative candidate and this complimentary gift will be mailed to you.
But questions have been asked over whether the print giveaway is legal.
Electoral Commission guidelines state that a person is guilty of treating if either before, during or after an election they directly or indirectly give or provide any food, drink, entertainment or provision to corruptly influence any voter to vote or refrain from voting.
Voters can also run into trouble by photographing their ballot papers in the polling booth.
Section 66 of the Representation of the People’s Act states that it is a criminal offence to communicate information about the way someone has voted or is about to vote, or to communicate the unique identification number on the ballot paper.
A lawyer’s note on Banksy’s website adds that the print is a souvenir piece of campaign material which “is in no way meant to influence the choices of the electorate, has no monetary value, is for amusement purposes only and is strictly not for re-sale”.
Banksy might also need to study Bristol’s electoral map more closely. While Bristol North West has a Tory incumbent, Bristol West is a marginal in which the Tories do not feature, and Tory target seat Bristol East is not on Banksy’s list.
Take part in our reader survey at www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/B247 to be in with a chance of winning a meal for two.
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